1
: something that is swollen
specifically
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
2
: the condition of being swollen
Examples of swelling in a Sentence
There was a swelling above her eye.
The swelling around her eye should subside in a few days.
Recent Examples on the Web
This helps prevent injection site reactions like swelling and rashes.
—
Sherri Gordon, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Part of his skull will need to be replaced with a prosthetic once the swelling goes down.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
She's had virtually no pain, only a little bit of swelling and no noticeable scars (the incisions were made in her hairline).
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Look for swelling, rashes, visible lumps or if the nipple has been pulled in.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
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Sherri Gordon, Health, 5 Nov. 2025
Part of his skull will need to be replaced with a prosthetic once the swelling goes down.
—Kansas City Star, 5 Nov. 2025
She's had virtually no pain, only a little bit of swelling and no noticeable scars (the incisions were made in her hairline).
—Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 4 Nov. 2025
Look for swelling, rashes, visible lumps or if the nipple has been pulled in.
—Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for swelling
Cite this Entry
“Swelling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swelling. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
swelling
noun
swell·ing
ˈswel-iŋ- 
: an abnormal bodily protuberance or localized enlargement
an inflammatory swelling
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